Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts is opening a hotel in Abu Dhabi that will have private residences and a yacht club.
Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Abu Dhabi is set to open in 2030 on a brand new, horseshoe-shaped island. The Italian House has just announced a landmark partnership with Eagle Hills to launch its latest ultra-luxury destination.
Set to blend Italian flair and Arabian hospitality, the resort will comprise 60 rooms and suites, 30 beachfront villas, and 90 private mansions. Along with the hotel and living accommodation, there will be world-class amenities, including a private yacht club with a 40-berth marina, signature dining experiences and a 2,000 sqm spa.
“It’s all about exclusivity, intimacy and familiarity,” explains Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari, as he describes the brand’s unique philosophy of ‘haute hospitality’. Those who have stayed at one of the brand’s resorts will know that they are Bvlgari Hotels are intentionally intimate. Each property has no more than 100 rooms and suites to ensure this, a fact which will ring true at the resort in the capital too. “You’ll never feel crowded. We offer the same world-class amenities as hotels five times the size, except our pool is never shared with 50 people, maybe three,” says Babin.
The project is being brought to life by ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Milanese landscape firm Land SRL, with a design vision that will pay homage to Abu Dhabi’s natural beauty, in particular the surrounding coastline. The architecture is set to resemble “glass and gold emerging from the sand”.
Set to become the brand’s 14th property globally, the Abu Dhabi resort marks a milestone for Bvlgari. “It might be the most incredible location we’ve ever had,” Babin says. “It’s a natural island, not man-made, with views of the Presidential Palace on one side and sunsets over the open sea on the other. It’s like the Maldives, but connected to the heart of a global capital.”
Along with a resort, the island will be home to residences. Each of the 90 private mansions will be over 1,000 square metres (some will be as large as 2,500 sqm), with high ceilings, individual beach access and generous spacing between homes to ensure privacy. Some will even have their own private docks. “They are unlike anything else in the region,” Babin explains.
Much like the other properties, sustainability is also an important factor. “We’re committed to LEED Gold certification, using eco-conscious materials, shaded landscaping inspired by Arabic gardens and energy-efficient systems throughout.”
Famed for its luxury dining offering, the Bvlgari Abu Dhabi will also include an outpost of Michelin-starred Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, along with a Japanese Omasake Hōseki and a new Turkish restaurant.
The private yacht club means that residents and guests can arrive by sea, while exclusive experiences, including enjoying the surrounding marine life, will make the resort a well-rounded destination to draw repeat customers. “We’ll organise sunset cruises to desert islands with intimate picnics, it’s about curating extraordinary moments,” explains Babin.
As Babin puts it, “When you arrive, you’ll feel surprise, intimacy, and wonder. It’s a village within a city, close enough to Abu Dhabi’s cultural heart, yet far enough to be your own world.”
